'India hopeful about climate financing at UN conference'

India is optimistic that the UN conference on climate change slated to be held in Dubai later this year will bring greater clarity on the “financial pathways" needed in the fight against climate change, according to environment, forest and climate change secretary Leena Nandan. In doing so, it is likely to build upon the declaration adopted at the recent G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi, she said in an interview ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Climate Change Conference, to be held from 30 November-12 December. Edited excerpts:

- Puja Das & Subhash Narayan

What are the key takeaways of your ministry from G20?

The environment and climate sustainability working group has taken on very topical issues which are extremely relevant to the interconnected theme of climate and environment. For the first time, biodiversity was actually part of an environment and climate G20 discussion and found its way right up to the top, including in the leaders’ declaration. This is a big achievement for India and a big contribution by India because we have been able to focus the discussions on the need for land restoration and how it relates to tackling climate change.

The second thing we focused on was the blue economy—how we ensure the sustainability of our coastal areas and marine environment, while we tap the economic potential of sea and ocean areas. We were able to come up with negotiated high-level principles on ocean economy.